More than 1,000 people have signed a petition against plans to build new homes on a field in their community.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council recently earmarked the local authority-owned land off Brookwood Drive, Weston Coyney, for a mixed development of 154 houses and flats.

It is one of six sites identified across the city to help meet a shortage of affordable housing.

But residents say the scheme would eat up valuable green space and would contribute to traffic congestion along nearby Weston Road – an air pollution hot spot. And they fear it could also disturb local bats who have been seen flying around the wildlife habitat.

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Representatives from Weston Coyney Residents’ Association took along their very own protest mascot – decorative metal bat Balthazar – to the council’s civic centre yesterday. It came as they handed in their petition ahead of the deadline for responses to a consultation on the housing plans.

Sue Bourne and Jan Zablocki pictured with the petition and Balthazar the bat

The campaigners include association secretary Sue Bourne, who lives in Park Hall Drive and is a member of a walking group that regularly uses the field. She also recently took part in Staffordshire University research aimed at investigating how living near green areas can reduce stress levels and improve a person’s health.

Sue said: “The main reason we are against the housing is because it would lead to the loss of amenities. The space is used by dog walkers and children who play there.

“People are worried the houses they are planning to build will also look directly into their own homes. We just feel this has been foisted on us.”

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She now wants to see a bat survey carried out to gauge how the proposals could affect the protected species.

The plans first surfaced several weeks ago when residents were invited to a consultation event organised by the local authority.

A council report claimed the site was an ‘under-used’ open space that had the capacity to accommodate 154 homes. An initial design for the scheme includes ‘extra care’ facilities with associated bungalows, along with a portion of the site for ‘private rent or open market sale’.

Sue Bourne and Jan Zablocki with Balthazar the bat

But residents’ association chairman Jan Zablocki claims there are much more suitable brownfield sites in areas such as Longton and Fenton.

The 67-year-old, from Weston Coyney Road, said: “We are not prepared to see that green space sold off just so that developers can make better profits.

“For almost half a century, this space has been enjoyed by the people of Meir and Weston Coyney. It’s a lovely area.”

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He fears building extra housing will have a knock-on impact on pollution levels.

Jan added: “An air monitoring report showed Weston Road is one of the most heavily polluted areas in the city for vehicle emissions. It is 25 per cent above the legally safe limit. Local authorities have a duty to take remedial action against air pollution. This scheme will do the opposite.”

The city council has previously said it has an ‘obligation to find suitable development land’ to meet its housing targets.